King Lions, Huron Heights ready to rumble

Newmarket Era

Lions versus Warriors. Part one?
Since the day the 2012 schedule was set last month, this afternoon’s showdown between the defending league champion King City Lions and host Huron Heights Warriors has loomed as the must-see regular season game on the York Region Athletic Association senior football calendar.
It is a Week 4 clash of unbeaten teams and, if the season unfolds according to form, what could be a preview of the York Region championship game.
Why not?
The schools have met in the league final the past two years, with the Lions coming out on top both times, and there is no other YRAA team seemingly capable of getting in the way.
First place in the seven-team league may be decided today, and with it ... well, not much else other than bragging rights for a few weeks between now and a probable rematch in the Nov. 10 final.
Kickoff is 3 p.m. at Huron Heights Secondary School.
“For sure, we’re shaping up as two of the better teams in the league,” said Huron Heights head coach Al Rover, whose team has been on the losing side of the past three matches against the Lions.
“Both teams are doing a lot of the same things as last year, but neither team will show its full hand this week.
We’re both hoping to be in the (regional) final and that’s when we’ll pull out all the stops. We’ll still play to win and notch it up a level for them.”
It’s pretty much the same sentiment in King City, where the Lions are coming off a 54-21 victory over the Markham Marauders.
“It’s always a hard-nosed battle between these two teams (so) it’s going to be tough,” Lions’ co-coach Brad Matwijec said. “I think our guys will be ready, but you never know what will happen with high school kids. I don’t think we have a full hand to show yet because we haven’t done all we have to do offensively, but we’ll probably draw on every card we’ve got.
“They’re confident and our guys feel good about what they’ve done so far. It might come down to a lucky bounce, but I don’t think luck will win the game. Preparation will.”
For his part, Matwijec fully expects the game to be the first of a two-part series.
“They’ll be ready and we’ll do our best on our end, so something has to give,” he said. “It’s two of the better teams in Ontario, so there should be sparks.
“I don’t think it’ll be the last time we see them this year. At least, I hope not.”
Rover expressed concern with the Warriors’ focus and intensity in a 35-0 win over their crosstown rival Newmarket Raiders last Friday. It’s possible his squad was looking ahead to the Lions, he feels.
“If you’re not focused and don’t have tempo, especially with the ball, better teams will take advantage and beat you,” he said. “It’ll be a real good test for our guys and a good opportunity to see what King has got this year.”